Rafael Cruz, a Christian conservative
celebrity and the father of Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a candidate for
the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, recently described gay
marriage as part of an “agenda to destroy America.”
According to Right
Wing Watch, Cruz made his comments the day after the Supreme
Court heard a case challenging gay marriage bans in four states. A
ruling, which could bring marriage equality to the 13 states where it
remains illegal, is expected in June.
“My son has submitted two bills,”
Cruz said, referring to a constitutional amendment which would define
marriage as a heterosexual union and a measure which would prohibit
federal judges from ruling on the issue of marriage. “We are gong
to have to stand firm on the agenda to destroy America.”
“I lost my freedom once. I'm not
willing to lose it again. I will die fighting before I lose it
again, and so should you,” he said.
Cruz also falsely claimed that a ruling
permitting nationwide marriage equality would lead to the persecution
of Christians.
If the Supreme Court rules to “legalize
homosexual marriage … the next thing that is going to come is the
government coming to your church and saying, 'You must hire a
homosexual pastor. You must perform homosexual marriages.' We are
gong to come to a crossroads in America. We're going to have to
decide whether we obey God or we obey government if that's what's
coming. This is about religious persecution.”
The U.S. Constitution protects
religious organizations from government intrusion. That protection
extends to who they hire and the couples they marry.